EDITORIAL: Why Armie Hammer May Not Be A Bad Choice For Batman

Recently a rumor has come up about the Justice League movie that states that the Batman in George Miller's failed project Justice League: Mortal Armie Hammer may get another chance to play the Dark Knight. Now before an angry mob comes after me, LEVITIKUZ explores why casting Hammer may not be a bad choice.

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By LEVITIKUZ - 10/10/2012

The most recent rumor about the Justice League movie tells us that Armie Hammer is a lead candidate to play Bruce Wayne/Batman in the Justice League movie and maybe in the DC Movie Universe. A lot of fanboys aren’t really happen about this. My pick for the new Batman is Gerard Butler because he has the height, he can act, has played in movies that his roles has had a sense of Batman or Bruce Wayne, and I want the rebooted Batman to be a Batman well into his crime fighting career. At least 5 years into his career. Even if Hammer is going to be Batman is that a bad thing? What I see his history repeating itself fanboys. Some actor you don’t know playing your favorite superhero. I agree I have my doubts for him but I’m going to tell you why Armie Hammer isn’t a bad choice for Bruce Wayne/Batman.

He’s Name Won’t Outshine His Role

I said it in one of my well received Justice League articles; WB’s shouldn’t go for the big name actor and actress when casting the Justice League. Marvel didn’t do it and look how it turned out. All of the characters in The Avengers looked and became the characters right out of the comics and besides maybe Samuel L Jackson, none of them were very big name actors and actresses. Look at The Amazing Spider-Man. Sure people say “I’ve seen Andrew Garfield in The Social Network.” That’s one movie. None of us really knew who this kid was and Spider-Man fans say he’s the best Spider-Man ever on the big screen. My point is most of our favorite actors and actresses that play are favorite superheroes weren’t well known before the role. It puts pressure on Hammer to bring his A game and if it’s anything as history tells us, he will be a great Batman.

He’s Coming Up

The thing with Armie Hammer is back when he was trying out for the role of Batman in George Miller’s failed Justice League: Mortal he and the rest of the cast received harsh critism for not being well known. If we really think about it before Christian Bale don the cape and cowl, the only movie people knew of him was American Psycho. Like Bale, Hammer’s only movies that people know him form is The Social Network and J. Edgar. He’s an underdog like so many great superhero actors. Just because he hasn’t been in the blockbuster films doesn’t mean he can’t be a good Batman.

He Has Sort of Lived In Bruce Wayne’s Shoes Minus The Dead Parents

Armie Hammer grew up with bank. He was loaded and I mean loaded. His father is chairman and CEO of the Armand Hammer Foundation and his mother is a board member of the foundation. His parents also serve together as board members of the Los Angeles Dream Center and Knoedler & Hammer Galleries in New York. In addition, his father is a member of the board of trustees for Oral Roberts University. His mother was a former bank loan officer and teaches Bible study in Los Angeles. His family moved to Dallas, Texas, when he was approaching school age. They moved to the Cayman Islands in 1993, where they stayed for 5 years. While here, Armie attended the Grace Christian Academy, a school that his father set up. They returned to Los Angeles when Armie was age 13. He attended L.A. Baptist High School and Calvary Junior High School. I mean this is Bruce Wayne living right here. Maybe the fact that he can relate to Bruce could help him. Also people have said he is good looking and because Bruce Wayne is a billion dollar playboy, it helps to be good looking.

Whenever A Casting Comes Out And Fanboys Hate It, Fanboys Are Proven Wrong

I'm going to ramble off a few castings fanboys have strongly disagreed with that have become successful. Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man, Heath Ledger as the Joker, Michael Keaton as Batman, Anne Hathaway as Catwoman, Chris Evens as Captain American, Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man, and so many more but I don't want to continue. My point is most roles fanboys hate on at first, they love once they see the role on the big screen.

Look I’m not saying start campaigns for the guy that say “HOPE” or “BELIEVE”, I’m asking just to give him a shot. The only thing I dislike is it has been said that when he got in the Batusit for Justice League: Mortal, it has been said he was 7 feet tall. I don’t want Batman being as tall as Shaq. That’s the only negative about Hammer but directors can fix stuff like that. What do you think? Should Hammer get a shot and play Batman or should he not be anywhere close to this film. Sound off below. Peace.

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"That dude could play Batman and Superman," said Smith. "That's the weird thing. You look at him and he's got a f---ing Superman look, but he's got a Batman thing going on, too."

"A few years ago, they were like, 'Let's do that Batman/Superman movie,'" he continued. "Do it. Hire that mother f---er to play both roles. ... He could pull it off. I'd buy it."

According to Smith, Hamm's role on the show as Don Draper, creative director of the Sterling Cooper advertising agency, is already a Batman/Bruce Wayne of sorts anyways—so giving him the cape and cowl wouldn't be much of a stretch.

"He's always brooding on that show. He comes off like Bruce Wayne," said Smith. "That voice of his—the Don Draper voice—that's f---ing Batman!"

"If you were in an alley and that motherf---er Jon Hamm was wearing that outfit and came up to you and he was like, 'Gimme a cigarette,' you'd be like, 'Oh my god, I'm going to give up crime... and living!" he laughed.

All I know is there was suppose to be a giant spider. Besides, I hated Bale as Batman and even more as Bruce Wayne. And now these Nolanites want Bale of all people to play badass Solid Snake? Idiots.

Never seen this guy in anything before, but he has a look to him. This may not be an original choice, but I think Fassbender could be put onto their shortlist of potentiall Bruce Wayne/Batman contenders. Show the idiot Nolanites that Nolan's version can definitely be topped.

Well, I think Jon Hamm is the best actor working in Hollywood to personify both Batman and Bruce Wayne (so we are just going to have to agree to disagree). The guy has the classical good looks, the voice, and the physique (build). Plus, he has the acting chops to back it up (see: The Town, Mad Men).

Eminem the rapper, who looks like he is in his 20's was born in 1972. It makes him 39 years old.

Christian Bale was born in 1974 (38 years old), Daniel Craig was born in 1968 (44 years old), and Ben Affleck that some suggested could be Batman if he were to direct JLA is 40 years old (born in 1972).

Jon Hamm was born in 1971. It makes him 41. He gives off that Sean Connery vibe were he looks older than he actually is, and he comes across as manlier than most of his peers.

Here is a scene from the Town with both Ben Affleck (40 ) and Jon Hamm (41):

I would agree that if they wait another decade, he would be way too old. However, at the moment, he would be perfect as the older member of the JLA (New 52 style Batman). He has a good decade in front of him. I'm hoping WB uses him.

@LEV

As I said, we will have to agree to disagree.

On Bale, he has his moments (playing "cancer throat" Batman wasn't one of them).

On Kevin Smith [face palm], it was Jon Peters who wanted the giant spider written into the film (it ended up in the movie: Wild Wild West) and a non-flying superman. Kevin Smith makes fun of Jon Peters all the time. Peters (and other studio involvement) doomed that project.

I'm all about giving an actor a shot. Let hammer get a crack at the caped crusader. I do see Hamm doing a better job though. The demeanor he has as Draper would work as Wayne (just toss in a bit more of a carefree vibe). As Batman, he had some intense scenes in the town that I can see working as Batman.

I've really yet to see Armie Hammer in ANYTHING. He seemed particularly excited about the role, talked about how disappointing it was that it never happened, and hasn't been panned as a HORRIBLE ACTOR, so cool!

Really, I'm completely indifferent about who's playing Batman right now. They could have super-skinny aging Kevin Conroy do it, and I'd be fine. Well no, I'd be more than fine - he'd have my blessing. But yeah, not concerned about a character who is 75% of DC.

I don't think Smith even got to writing the Superman script? He had a plot outline that he had to read to Peters and it got really weird. WB basically told Smith the just do what Peter's said.

My problem is, i'd rather go with a younger Batman, mid 20's-mid 30's region, though every actor i can think of, and have seen that is that age doesn't look right. And then you get people Like Hamm, who looks like Bruce Wayne, but may be too old for a lengthy franchise.

I see what you're saying, but I still don't really like the idea of Armie Hammer as Batman. I mean he's an alright actor, but he's never really impressed me, and I think for a role like Batman you need someone who can easily impress the audience, someone with true screen presence. This is why Christian Bale's Bruce/Batman is my favourite in film; he impresses so effortlessly, and is so adaptable as an actor. I mean even in the few bad movies he's been in, Bale's always stood out as a great actor and has always been the best thing in those movies.

For me, Hammer just sort of 'blends in'; he's never been memorable in a performance IMO. And having been born into a wealthy family by no means makes him any more suitable to play the character than if he had been born poor. I'm sorry LEVITIKUZ, because usually I enjoy your articles and agree with them somewhat, but that point about Armie having been born wealthy and therefore being able to convincingly play Bruce is a load of shit in my opinion.

For Bruce Wayne and Batman you need someone with real screen presence. Someone who is capable of being suave, charming and charismatic one moment, then brooding, mysterious, and terrifying the next. Someone like (the very over-suggested) Michael Fassbender, or someone like Ryan Gossling. Hammer can play suave, but I'm not entirely sure he can play the rest of those qualities.

Robert Downey Jr. was born in 1965. He is 47 years old, and he started playing Iron Man at the age of 43. His name is synonymous with Iron Man. Many would argue, and I would agree, that he is one of the best components, currently, in Marvel's Cinematic Universe.

His costars Cris Evans is 31, Hemsworth is 29, Johansson is 27, Hiddleston is 31, and Smulders is 30.

However, Mark Ruffalo is 44 (he just started playing the Hulk), Rener is is 41 (he just started playing Hawkeye), and Samuel L. Jackson is 63.

So, a 41 year old Jon Hamm isn't that old.

II. Fassbender :After his success as Magneto, he has become a fan favorite and the go to guy for every role for the unimaginative; however, he was born to play Proinsias Cassidy, an Irish vampire from the “Preacher” comic. He has the look, build, and physique of Cassidy. If you ever read the comic, it'll be hard not to think of Fassbender as the Irish Vamp.

yeah man i really see what your saying. i have nothing against armie, my only qualm is that i feel batman should be played by a man. not a young man but like 35 and older. john hamm would be perfect. kevin smith said it right. i just really dont like how hollywood thinks younger is the better choice because you can get more movies out of them. this is batman we are talking about, not batman beyond.

Armie Hammer was good in The Social Network. If he dye his hair black it could work. Jon Hamm would be good has an older Batman but if they want to start a long franchise I'm not against Hammer for Wayne. for Kev Smith and the superman thing, here what happen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUwkqeI7XWk It's pretty funny. Is not a vary good filmmaker but he know comic book.

@ACira I agree with you on the wealthy part, IMO being born rich and having everything handed to you is the complete opposite of batman. Batman didn't have anything handed to him. His parents were murdered when he was a kid, and he's had to basically live for himself, and money means absolutely nothing to batman (he did give it up for 5-8 years). A spoiled kid who attended all these rich private schools is not gonna relate to a man whos had nothing handed to him in life and is vengeance, the night, the BATMAN. Lol just my 2 cents

I agree that Hammer could pull off either Batman or Aquaman, which just clearly shows this guy needs to be a superhero. I really do not see what everyone else sees in Jon Hamm?? I can't see him as Batman let alone Superman, I don't know what I'm missing. But the fact that this guy is pretty much in agreement with the majority of this site users. I would say there's something there!

In regards to **lokibane2012** The casting choices you listed are easily debatable. Nic Cage in anything rocks! Ghost Rider movies sucked ass!! Jessica Alba was a marketing moved. Even she knows that she can't act. Ben Affleck was just fine as DareDevil, he made a pretty bad movie look good at times. Juilan Machaon as Dr. Doom I'll give you. Don't know what led to this choice. Ryan Reynolds, please great choice to play Hal. Don't knock a actors performance just because you didn't like the movie. I can't stand A Scent of A Women as a movie, but Al Pacino's performance made it great. Same applies.

I think WB/DC struck gold with Cavill as Superman, and this is because, not only does he look the part, but a) he has a passion and respect for the character, and b) it's relatively difficult to tie him to anything else (unless you watched The Tudors, Stardust, Immortals, The Cold Light of Day, etc).

I am 100% set with Armie Hammer as Bruce in the DC Cinematic Universe. Because:

1) Like Cavill with Superman (McG's Superman Flyby), Hammer has been snubbed before when it comes to the character of Batman (in the form of 2009's cancelled Justice League Mortal), and didn't get the chance to see it through. Like Cavill, give him a chance to do so.

2) He is still relatively unknown, with his biggest role being The Lone Ranger in this summer's upcoming blockbuster. He also tried his hand at drama with the Winklevoss twins in The Social Network (for which he was nominated for the Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor). Mirror Mirror wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be (still pretty bad), but it showed that Hammer can do silly and family freindly. It's called "range".

3) Because of JLM, Hammer has had a chance to read up on the character and gotten to know him. He is a behemoth of a man, standing at 6'5", making him more than able to to stand his ground when confronted by Cavill's Man of Steel. Some may consider this a problem given that Cavill is a mere 6'1", but this "problem" COULD be fixed with clever camera angles and such. I personally don't see the need, because despite his boy scout reputation, Clark KNOWS that he is powerful, and suffers from a slight ego problem...

4) The Lone Ranger is basically Batman in the wild west. Hammer is incredibly charming and charismatic (just watch interviews or one of his numerous talk show appearances), making the mask of Bruce Wayne undoubtedly a breeze for him, but his ability to play dark and conflicted will be on full display in TLR. Honestly, much like what Warrior was for Tom Hardy, The Lone Ranger is Hammer's Batman audition tape.